"We are a mom-focused group. We are artists, writers, creators; all of us imperfect and learning. Our organization is about nurturing our creative selves and maintaining our personal identity while caring for and learning about our new, tiny humans. Our community is committed to helping our moms find friendship, offer opportunities to create (art, journaling, cooking, baking, quilting, and more), and provide a safe place to be real and talk about motherhood and life."

Cut-n-Sew Toys

I can still remember the first cut and sew toy that my mother made me as a little girl. She was a pink doll, with a removable skirt. My mother had taken the time to intricately mark the doll’s hair and dress with little painted details. I remember thinking in the world of plastic toys, even as a child, that there was something magical about how a simple piece of fabric could be made into my own doll, and that my mother had made it!

Image Credit {Stacy Iest Hsu}

When I was pregnant with my daughter Charlotte, I found Stacy Iest Hsu, a mother like myself, who not only made cut and sew toys for her children, but designed them. With a background in textile and product design, Stacy Iest Hsu’s toys are bright, colorful and come in a variety of colors, genders, and even animals.

Creative Chicks at the Stacy Iest Tsu cut-n-sew event.

I fell in love with Stacy Iest Hsu’s designs, and in February co-hosted an event with Jacinda to enable other Creative Chicks the opportunity to share and create their own cut and sew toy together as a group. We had champagne and chocolate and talked about our children, work, and individual passions. The best part of the night for me was watching our member Katie learning her first embroidery stitches to customize her son’s bunny nose, and Heather creating her own removable skirt for her daughter’s special toy. Watching the moms in our group take the time to turn a simple piece of fabric into a work of art for their children was like taking a step back in time to my own childhood. I imagine each of the babes being given their handmade-by-momma cut and sew toy, and remember the magic of the doll my own mom made me.

How to create your own cut n sew doll

A cut and sew toy may seem intimidating, but is actually so easy to create! You start by cutting your with a fat quarter (18”x22” fabric cut) or yard of fabric along the dotted lines. Then you can personalize your toy or get right to the sewing. Stacy Iest Tsu includes wonderful directions, and they are important to follow in order to get the best results. Then you stuff and close the opening with a few hand stitches. If this sounds intimidating then check out our schedule of events for an upcoming sewing event, or leave a note in the comments with your interest.

This is Lulu a doll made by our member Heather E. for her daughter.

To find out more about Stacy Iest Hsu, and support her as a creative chick with babes check out:

As the daughter of an artist who ran her own creative business Katie can remember almost every childhood lesson being linked to the art of creating. Prior to giving birth to her first child she practiced as an information technology/cyber security professional in the midwest and later and Europe. With over 20+ years of experience in sewing, knitting, scrapbooking and mixed media Katie loves to combine art, travel and technology to tell stories. As a newbie to the NOVA area Katie is quickly learning to love all the wonderful things the area offers.